The Dancing Skeleton

by Cynthia C. DeFelice, Robert Andrew Parker (Illustrator)

Aaron Kelly is dead but not lamented. He's so ornery, in fact, that he won't stay in his coffin but comes home to haunt his widow. How she ultimately gets Aaron back into his grave makes for a funny rather tahn scary story that will delight children. Full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Music, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1989

About the author

Cynthia DeFelice is the author of many bestselling titles for young readers, including the novels Wild Life, The Ghost of Cutler Creek, Signal, and The Missing Manatee, as well as the picture books, One Potato, Two Potato, and Casey in the Bath. Her books have been nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award and listed as American Library Association Notable Children's Books and Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, among numerous other honors.

Cynthia was born in Philadelphia in 1951. As a child, she was always reading. Summer vacations began with a trip to the bookstore, where she and her sister and brothers were allowed to pick out books for their summer reading. “To me,” she says, “those trips to the bookstore were even better than the rare occasions when we were given a quarter and turned loose at the penny-candy store on the boardwalk.” Cynthia has worked as a bookseller, a barn painter, a storyteller, and a school librarian.

When asked what she loves best about being an author, she can’t pick just one answer: “I love the feeling of being caught up in the lives of the characters I am writing about. I enjoy the challenge of trying to write as honestly as I can, and I find enormous satisfaction in hearing from readers that something I wrote touched them, delighted them, made them shiver with fear or shake with laughter, or think about something new.” Cynthia and her husband live in Geneva, New York.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/cynthi...

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess it sounds terrible, but some people are so mean and ornery that you're happy when they die . . . but what if they're SO ornery, they refuse to stay dead?

That's exactly what happens to Mrs. Kelly when her stubborn husband crawls out of the grave, and plops himself down in his old rocking chair. He sits there and withers away til he's naught but a skeleton. That's when his missus sees her chance to finally be shed of him . . .

A fun retelling of an old folktale, and not nearly as creepy as the premise makes it seem.

[Johanna Stoddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am probably on my 3rd or 4th copy of this book! I started reading this 28 yrs ago, when my son was about 3. When you read Aaron Kelly's dialog in a Southern draw, this book is hysterical! I have read it aloud annually to my students for the past 20+ years. We do a flow map of the story on bones afterwards and make skeletons to dance around the room. Always a favorite!

[Jeniel Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a book I read for my Children's Literature class. The age group is 7 and up, but I feel that it should be more for an older audience. The book had a lot of high level vocabulary words but overall it was a cute book that you can relate to Halloween

[Avery]

The Dancing Skeleton is a good light-hearted story for kids that won't spook them too much. So they will be able to read a spooky story without being left terrified.

[J. S. Seebauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was another book I learned about in my child's lit. course. It was recommended for 3rd graders. I got it for D (my soon-to-be 3rd grader.) She, however, was unimpressed. She liked it, when questioned, but said it with a lack of emotion. I would propose it for a younger audience.

[Dundee Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a man so ornery and contrary that even after death he refuses to stay in his coffin. This makes it very difficult for his poor wife to entertain suitors. The tale is funny and a wonderful read aloud. Appropriate for upper elementary, especially appropriate for Halloween.

[Elizabeth Arrowood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've probably read this book a few hundred times. I read it to my kids before bed when they ask for it, and sometimes when I ask for it.

Truthfully, out of all my kids' books, this one is my favorite.

I love reading it in a thick southern accent. It's really just too much fun.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though not specifically about Halloween, this spooky story is a good one to read at this time of year. It's a silly story and not too scary for younger children.

[Ms. Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://seattle.bibliocommons.com/item...

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious! Unless you're not into morbid things. I thought it was great, and my son laughed the whole time... At least I know he's not afraid of skeletons!

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy little story, but enough humor that may keep little ones from freaking out. I wouldn't read it to real young ones, though.

[Ashley Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite kid books

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great scary story